1
as in consecration
the act of making something holy through religious ritual
the sacred site required another sanctification after it had been defiled by the invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purification
the act or fact of freeing from sin or moral guilt
the Christian belief that the suffering and death of Jesus was responsible for the sanctification of all humankind
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sanctification
After Fuqua does interesting work sowing seeds of folly amid the star’s glorious rise, the movie gives up and turns to total sanctification.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
The sanctification of Lee and other Confederate leaders, in turn, pushed the complexities of the surrender and of the Civil War era into the shadows, allowing the myth of Appomattox to flourish for more than a century.
— Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
The result is that liberal analysts prefer the sanctification of allies and the demonization of rivals to objective and informed analysis.
—Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
But Ii her death allows for her sanctification, the film doesn’t quite know how to represent her life.
—Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
This sanctification was a crucial step in including medicine as its own advanced degree program at the first universities that were established around 1200 in Europe.
—Meg Leja, The Conversation, 2 Nov. 2023
Doing so is not a violation but a sanctification of Shabbat.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 7 Sep. 2021
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
The sanctification of Lee and other Confederate leaders, in turn, pushed the complexities of the surrender and of the Civil War era into the shadows, allowing the myth of Appomattox to flourish for more than a century.
— Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
The result is that liberal analysts prefer the sanctification of allies and the demonization of rivals to objective and informed analysis.
—Anatol Lieven, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
But Ii her death allows for her sanctification, the film doesn’t quite know how to represent her life.
—Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
This sanctification was a crucial step in including medicine as its own advanced degree program at the first universities that were established around 1200 in Europe.
—Meg Leja, The Conversation, 2 Nov. 2023
Doing so is not a violation but a sanctification of Shabbat.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 7 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sanctification
Noun
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Drive’s sensational premiere at Cannes in 2011 was a consecration of his cinema, but perhaps also the tipping point.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
-
Spain’s international consecration looks well on its way.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Noun
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To improve water quality, the government hired Green Water Solutions, a federal contractor that installs water purification systems to reduce toxins, algae and other substances in contaminated water, according to its website.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
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The chemicals and ozone nanobubbles — a water purification treatment used to avoid some harsh chemicals — were one part of the effort underway to clean the Reflecting Pool.—
Katie Vogel,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Robin is no hero but after being injured in battle finds a chance of salvation in the hands of a mysterious woman (Jodi Comer).—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
19 June 2026
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Among the tangle of wins, draws and heartbreaking losses, teams with either of the latter results are looking for salvation.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Like many of the best Korean cleansing oils, Manyo's Pure Cleansing Oil is a dream for dry skin.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
18 June 2026
-
Rapier isn’t the only fan of the brand—Khloé Kardashian and I use Ouai’s deeply cleansing formulas, too.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sanctification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sanctification. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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